ISEM Rising social consciousness in the field of renewable energy; Izmir Sustainable Energy Museum

While the demand for energy continually increases, the importance and necessity to utilize Renewable Energy Sources (RES) also increases. Also works to increase efficient and rational use of energy are becoming more widespread around the globe. Unfortunately preferred energy production systems are still not renewable, and one of the most important reasons for this is; the society not having enough applicable information on RES. Thus the subject to be emphasized above all should be to increase social consciousness, and therefore create public opinion for the purpose of increasing buildings and systems that use RES. Within this framework, the study expressed here addresses the problem of rising public/social consciousness regarding RES by renewal of a historic building and putting it to public service as a Sustainable Energy Museum. The historic Electricity Plant, which is also identified as an industrial heritage in Izmir, will be renewed as “Izmir Sustainable Energy Museum”, which would generate its own energy, and also support educational facilities. The museum building would be the first example to present RES like this to the public in Turkey. Consequently establishing a RES museum would cause easier comprehension of RES, introduction of the technologies to the society (especially children and youths), change the view towards RES and more conscious and common utilization of RES. Besides, since the presentation of RES would be in the form of a museum proposition, the long lasting effects on utilization of RES would be ensured by educational works, designed to introduce RES in earlier ages.